Taipei, Taiwan, 24 February, 2010 - GIGABYTE, a leading manufacturer of motherboards and graphics cards, introduces a powerful new addition to its Super Overclock Series: GTX 580 SOC (GV-N580SO-15I). To qualify for Super Overclock Series, a GPU must go through GIGABYTE’s innovative GPU GauntletTM Sorting process and it must be equipped with Ultra Durable VGA or VGA+ boards. Designed specifically for overclocking competition and gaming battle, GIGABYTE’s secret weapon GTX 580 Super Overclock Edition is built with NVDIA GeForce GTX 580 GPU. Based on 40nm processor and advanced GDDR5 memory technology, the powerful new GPU consists of ground-breaking features including Microsoft DirectX® 11 and NVIDIA PhysXTM which lead to incredibly immersive HD gaming experience and unrivaled performance. To satisfy hardcore gamers and extreme overclockers, GV-N580SO-15I is especially designed with GIGABYTE Extreme Dual BIOS technology. GV-N580SO-15I also features WINDFORCETM 3X, 14 phase PWM design, OC Guru graphic card smart tuner and voltage read point.

GIGABYTE Extreme Dual BIOS technology

As opposed to the traditional concept of dual BIOS chips where one is a main BIOS and the other one is a backup BIOS, GIGABYTE Extreme Dual BIOS technology contains two different BIOS chips designed for separate purposes. GIGABYTE Extreme Dual BIOS technology supports one-touch dual BIOS switching button to shift between two BIOSes,

WINDFORCETM - GIGABYTE’s Latest Cooling Solution

GIGABYTE introduces WINDFORCETM, the latest cooling technology that differentiates the brand’s graphics cards from the rest. GIGABYTE understands that a fan is crucial to the graphics card, so only the fan with the most efficiency is selected for WINDFORCETM. To qualify for WINDFORCETM, the cooling solution must be equipped with anti-turbulence inclined-fin, ultra quiet PWM fan and pure copper heat pipe. Inclined-fins redirect airflow and help to reduce excessive heat and turbulence. Depending on its orientation, there are 4 types of inclined-fin designs: outward-inclined, 3D-inclined, parallel-inclined, and mirroring-inclined. Each type contributes to generating excellent exterior airflow for efficient heat dissipation from the interior GPU core.

WINDFORCETM 3X: Anti-turbulence Cooling

GV-N580SO-15I is equipped with WINDFORCETM 3X cooling solution. WINDFORCETM 3X outward-inclined fin design is GIGABYTE’s innovative new generation triple-fan solution, which features 3 ultra quiet PWM fans, two 8mm copper heat pipes and a king-size (140×86 mm) vapor chamber to maximize the speed of heat dissipation. The special outward-inclined triple-fan design effectively minimizes the flow of turbulence between three fans. With a unique vapor chamber, WINDFORCETM 3X is able to transfer heat from the hot spot to the cool spot as thermal energy becomes evaporated to the surrounding air. By capillary action, the condensed liquid droplets circulate back to the base of chamber. The cycles of evaporation and condensation enhance heat dissipation for greater cooling efficiency. Moreover, WINDFORCETM 3X is equipped with three copper heat pipes to strengthen the speed of heat dissipation.

GPU GauntletTM Sorting

GIGABYTE’s very own GPU GauntletTM Sorting process is the key to the best GPUs for Super Overclock Series. A GPU must pass a sequence of tests to be selected. This unique process offers three major advantages. First, full-throttle performance tuning improves overclocking ability. Second, optimized thermal efficiency lowers extra temperatures. Fan speed is guaranteed at standard rpm in high-rated 3D and physics-accelerated games to reduce noise for an absolutely quiet environment. Lastly, expert power switching lowers power switching loss. With GPU GauntletTM Sorting, GIGABYTE SOC graphics card guarantees higher overclocking ability.

Ultra Durable VGA+

Thanks to Ultra Durable VGA+ that features 5+1 quality components, the Super Overclock Series supports top performance in graphics benchmarking. GIGABYTE Ultra Durable VGA+’s 5 units of proadlizer on GV-N580SO-15I graphics cards is able to provide purer power supply compared to traditional power design (zero proadlizers). One of the quality components of Ultra Durable VGA+ is GIGABYTE’s exclusive use of proadlizers. On GV-N580SO-15I graphics cards, GIGABYTE uses five NEC Proadlizer®, also known as film capacitor, to provide amazing current capacity and extremely low ESL/ESR for super overclocking ability. The added proadlizers transmit more stable power even during heavy loading.

GIGABYTE, headquartered in Taipei, Taiwan, is known as a global leading brand in the IT industry, with employees and business channels in almost every country. Founded in 1986, GIGABYTE started as a research and development team and has since taken the lead in the world’s motherboard market. On top of motherboards and graphics accelerators, GIGABYTE further expanded its product portfolio to include notebook and desktop PCs, digital home entertainment appliances, networking servers, communications, mobile and handheld devices, servicing every facet of people’s lives at home or business. Everyday GIGABYTE aims to “Upgrade Your Life” with the most innovative designs and impeccable quality and services. Visit www.gigabyte.com for more information.